The History of the Ancient Rock Art Near Grand Junction

Colorado's Petroglyphs and Pictographs and ancient rock art are a window into the past, showing us a glimpse of the cultures that came before us in the American Southwest. Here in Grand Junction, this ancient art is all around us.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the origins of the rock art that can be found in Western Colorado, and places you can access to see it for yourself.

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Some of the earliest inhabitants of the Western Slope date back to the Paleo-Indian and Archaic Periods around 11,000 B.C. They were hunter-gatherers, nomadic, and as they traveled, they left behind abstract-geometric art. The artwork may have been expressive or it may have recorded hunting scenes.

The Fremont Culture (600-1300 A.D.) also left behind a ton of rock art in the American Southwest and Western Colorado. Fremont rock art is distinctive, showing us glimpses of agriculture, village life, corn stalks, and what experts believe were daily activities.

The third type of rock art found around Grand Junction came from the Ute Indians from around 1300 A.D. to about 1880. Their petroglyphs included some map-style orientations of the southwest and reflections of their culture.

Read More: Southern Utah Man Claims Breakthrough Understanding Petroglyphs

Deciphering the Symbols: Interpreting Rock Art

Today, many of the symbols found in the petroglyphs and pictographs of the southwest have been woven into art and design themes. Check out this cool list of symbols frequently found in petroglyphs and their meanings from Garlands. 

Petroglyphs are believed to use what modern artists call conceptual realism. Exaggerated bear paws and horses may reflect a spiritual interpretation or one tied to ritual instead of a literal representation. Petroglyphs also served as calendars, and sometimes as celestial markers.

Read More: How Colorado Libraries Preserve History for Future Generations

Visiting and Respecting Rock Art Sites

The first thing to remember about petroglyphs and rock art is that it is for looking, and never for touching or tracing. Think of how long ago its been here. Let's make sure that others will be able to discover them someday too. The following locations are great places most people can access to see Western Colorado's rock art.

Lower Monument Canyon (Grand Junction): Lesser-known petroglyphs are hiding right under your nose within the Colorado National Monument. You don't need a pass to hike into Monument Canyon, just follow this awesome guide from GJHikes.

McDonald Creek (Rabbit Valley): Hike McDonald Creek Canyon to check out four panels of rock art (three pictographs and one petroglyph) that date back to the Fremont Indians. Follow this guide from Spoke&Blossom.

Canyon Pintado Historic District (BLM): Fremont and Ute rock art line a 15-mile section of Highway 139 between Rangely and Douglass Pass. An incredible 200 art panels of pictographs and petroglyphs show hunters, animals, and stars. Did the Utes draw in response to the Fremont art?

Shavano Valley Rock Art Site: The Shavano site is another place with panels shared by people from the Archaic period and the Utes. To see the 26 incredible rock art panels you must schedule a tour with the Ute Museum of Montrose.